There has been much in the news lately about the immigration bill in Congress, and what this country will do with the 12 million undocumented immigrants now living and working here. Let’s remember that not all of the undocumented snuck across our southern border. Many arrived legally on student, travel, and work visas and have overstayed their visas. The continual discussion about those who crossed our southern border is proof that our country still has issues with race that we cannot come to terms with. The fact that most of the undocumented work and pay taxes but are, for the most part, low-wage workers, to expect them to pay $5,000 each to “legalize” is absurd. Let’s remember also that since the passage of NAFTA the minimum wage in Mexico has actually gone down, driving more and more desperate people across our border.
All of us who care about our fellow human beings–regardless of legal status–must fight to make the path to legalization fair and affordable.
As Democrats, locally we must fight the onslaught of bigotry that is rearing its ugly head in the form of I-966. These nativist, right-wing groups that have banded together to try and repeat California’s Prop 187 from years back must be stopped. Their understanding and interpretation of history is absurd. First of all, they’re anti-tax and anti-government. Where would central WA be without the presence of a big federal government? No dams, no hydro-electricity, no irrigation projects, no Homestead Act, etc.
Also, let’s never forget that our fruit industry, a multi-million dollar a year industry, has built its fortunes on the backs of the undocumented. Without this constant influx of workers that can easily be underpaid and exploited, these land rich orchardists and farmers would never have made the kind of money they’ve made. There is no disputing this fact.
As a trade unionist, I find myself unwilling to defend the actions of the right-wingers who blame the poorest workers amongst us for all of our problems. As a trade unionist, it is my responsibility to support all workers, regardless of their legal status. As a trade unionist, I am ashamed of the local Carpenters Union that has decided to push the nativist and racist I-966. in their union hall. Until the Carpenters decide to stop their racist activity, the local Democratic Party should refuse to use their building as a place to hold its meetings. We should not waiver on this–let’s send them a message.
As Democrats, we should not–must not–support any businesses that have I-966 petitions in their place of business. We should not patronize these folks at all. Let’s send a message to the rest of the state that we will not be in support of the Minutemen, Stand Up Committee, and STOP. Let’s fight against this type of bad behavior by our fellow citizens.
Let’s work together, stand with, and support the workers of our valley who, through their hard work and sacrifice, make all of our lives better.